Package and article handling implement



Nov. 6, 1934. c. HELLwlG 1,979,618

PACKAGE AND ARTICLE HANDLING IMPLEMENT Filed Jan. 23, 1934 Patented Nov.f6, 1934 UNITED STATES PACKAGE AND ARTICLE HANDLING IMPLEMENT Carl Hellwig, Cali, Colombia Application January 23,

13 Claims.

My invention is an implement for placing packages, cartons, canned and tinned goods, bottles, etc., on high shelves andremoving the same therefrom, thus making the use of stepladders unnecessary.

Generally the implement comprises a platform, preferably of rhomboid shape, mounted on the end of a pole and provided with a stationary tongue and an adjustable hinged tongue, the

@ latter being spring held in the open or rest position, means being provided and operated manually for moving the hinged tongue down over the article to be manipulated after the stationary tongue has been slipped beneath the ar- 3-5 ticle, thereby to clasp the article between the two tongues.

The invention also provides a horizontally disposed hook carried by the platform and extending from an end of the same, by means of .which hook objects may be moved sidewise on the shelf and bottles laid horizontally or set upright as desired.

The invention has for an object to produce an implement, having the aforesaid general char-` acteristics, of a simple and inexpensive construction and one which will readily and effectively serve its intended purposes.

Other objects will in part be obvious and in part be pointed out hereinafter.

To the attainment ofy the aforesaid objects and ends, .the invention still further resides in the novel details of construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all of which will be first fully described in the following detailed de- 3'5 scription, then be particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Figure 2 is a central vertical section of the l0 same.

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4.- is a cross lsection on the of Figure 2, showing a modification.

Figure 5 is an inverted plan view on a small scale of a modified construction of platform.

Figure 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

In the drawing in which like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures, 1 represents a pole, preferably made of wood or metal sections, secured together by suitable separable couplings 2 so that the pole may be lengthened or shortened as desired.

On the upper end of the pole 1 is mounted line 4--4 1934, Serial N0. 707,963

a platform 3 preferably of rhomboid shape. The platform has a hole 4 to receive the reduced end 5 of the pole 1. The rear portion of the platform 3 is recessed to receive the upper end of a vertical block 6 which is secured to the platform 3 and to a spacer block "I by suitable screws 9, or in any other suitable way. The spacer block 7 is secured at 8 to the pole l; thus the platform 3 is rigidly mounted on the pole l and the block 6 comprises a suitable upright support for the vertically adjustable slotted bar l2 which is secured to the block 6 by bolts 10 and nuts 1l. The bolts 10 pass through the longitudinal slot 13 as shown in Figure 2.

The bar 12 is preferably formed of metal such as aluminum and has its upper end enlarged at 14 to receive a shelf l5 which is suitably secured in any well-known' way to the enlargement 1li and to the shelf 15 is secured a spacer block 16 to which the hinge 17 is secured, the hinge 17 being also secured to the movable tongue 18.

The movable tongue 18 is held in its lifted position by means of a spring 19 secured to the block 16 and connected with the tongue 18 by a suitable strap 20.

The tongue 18 is preferably tapered toward the free end, and at the free end it carries a toothed disc 2l. The tongue 18 is provided with eyes 22 at each side to which the operating cords or cables 23 are secured. The cords or cables 23 pass through guide eyes 24 at the side ends of the platform 3 and through an eye 25 on the pole 1, there being a pull ring 26 secured to the ends of the cables 23.

27 is a stationary tongue secured at 29 to the platform 3. The stationary tongue is preferably made of light wood and covered either by a metal sheath 28 or a felt surface, as desired. The tongue 2'7 may be straight, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, or concave, as shown in Figure 4, the latter form being preferable where the instrument is to be used principally in handling bottles and other round objects. The tongue 27 projects beyond the platform 3 and terminates in one or more fingers 3l to facilitate the entry of the tongue between the shelf and the package 32 in operating the device. In Figure 4 the tongue 27a is shown concaved as at 30, the sheathing being indicated by 28a.

The object to be removed from the shelf is worked out sufficiently to enable the tongue 27 to be placed under it and by pulling the ring 26 the cables 23 bring the tongue 18 down (see dotted lines in Figure 2) so that it will grasp the article 32. By tilting the implement backwards somewhat before grasping it tight with the tongue 18 the article 32 will slide completely upon the tongue 27, after which tongue 18 is pulled tight and the object may then be safely taken down.

In order to put the article back in its place upon the shelf the article is placed on the tongue 27 and grasped by pulling down the tongue 13. The pole is then raised to the proper height and the tongue 27 is placed on the shelf. The implement is then tilted slightly forwards and the tongue 18 is released, whereupon the article may be slipped off the tongue 27 onto the shelf where it may be adjusted as to position by manipulating the implement, using the fingers 3l of the tongue 27 or the hook 33.

Upright standing bottles must be first tilted horizontally by the use of the hook 33. They may then be taken down by graspingl them between the tongues 27 and 18.

Tongues 27 may be made in various sizes and forms, depending upon the specific use to which they are to be put.k These tongues may be used interchangeably on the platform 3 as desired. Other suitable means than screws 29 may be used removably to secure the tongue to the platform, as may be found convenient.

The platform 3, instead of being diamondshaped in plan, may be shaped as indicated in Figures 5 and 6, from which it will be seen thatk the front portion of the platform 3a is of tonguelike form and is tapered on its under side as at 311:, thereby to assist in its easy movement into position beneath the packages or articles on the shelf.

The bar l2 may be formed integrally with the shelf, if desired, in order to reduce the cost of manufacture.

Other changes in the details of construction will readily occur to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as recited in the appended claims.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, `it is thought that the construction, combination and advantages of my invention will be clear to those skilled in the art to which it appertains.

It will be seen from the foregoing that bythe use of my invention clumsy stepladders which often cause accidents when putting articles away or when removing same from high shelves may be done away with and the articles placed on the shelves or removed therefrom in a safer and quicker way than has been the practice heretofore.

What I claim is:

l. An implement` of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at ar point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released.

2. An implement of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidablyl adjustably mounted on the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said platform having sides converging from said stationary tongue laterally, and guide elements on the sides of the platform which cooperate with the tongue moving means.

3. An implement of the character statedV including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said controlled means comprising cords secured to said hinged tongue and passing through eyes located adjacent the lateral extremities of said platform downwardly to a place along the pole where the user can grasp the same. i

4. An implement of the character stated comprising a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projectingbeyond the limits of the same, a block secured to the platform and extending downwardly therefrom, a spacer between said block and said pole, means rigidly securing said block, said spacer and said pole together, a bar slidably and adjustably secured to said block to project above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the upper end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from said platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly, and means for lifting said tongue when said lastnamed means is released.

5. An implement of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on and offset from the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardlyfand means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said stationary tongue being concaved.

6. An implementk of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue securedto the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on the pole and projecting above the platform, said stationary tongue being recessed to straddle said bar, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means. is released, said stationary tongue having at least one finger at its outer end.

7. An implement of the character 'stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted -on the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue iso hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said stationary tongue being concaved in cross section and said stationary tongue having at least one finger at its outer end.

8. An implement of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on and offset from the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for'swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said stationary tongue having a cover of a material different from that of the body of the tongue.

9. An implement of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, abar slidably adjustably mounted on and offset from the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said stationary tongue being composed of metal sheathed wood.

10. An implement of the character stated including a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole, a stationary tongue secured to the' platform and projecting beyond the limits of the same, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue f hingedly mounted on the end of said bar for swinging over said stationary tongue, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said hinged tongue including a body having a disk with a toothed rim projecting transversely to the plane of the disk.

11. An implement of the character described comprising a pole, a rhomboid-shaped platform mounted on an end of the pole, said platform having a recess in its rear edge, a block held in said recess and secured to said platform and extending below said platform, a spacer secured to said block and to said pole, bolts and nuts carried by the block, a vertically slotted bar held vertically adjustable on said block by said bolts and nuts, said sliding bar having a head, a tongue hingedly mounted on said head, a spring to move said tongue upwardly, a presser plate carried by said tongue, a stationary tongue having at least one finger and mounted on and projecting from said platform, guide eyes at the sides of said platform, and cables passed through said eyes and having an end of each secured to the hinged tongue to move it downwardly.

12. In an implement of the character stated, a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole and having a forwardly projecting tapered tongue-like portion, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on and offset from the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on an end of said bar for swinging over said tongue-like portion to cooperate therewith, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly and means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released.

13. In an implement of the character stated, a pole, a platform mounted on an end of the pole and having a forwardly projecting tapered tongue-like portion, a bar slidably adjustably mounted on and offset from the pole and projecting above the platform, a tongue hingedly mounted on an end of said bar for swinging over said tongue-like portion to cooperate therewith, means controlled by the user at a point remote from the platform for moving said hinged tongue downwardly, means for lifting said tongue when said last-named means is released, said tonguelike portion being tapered on its under side, and a tongue removably secured on the upper face of said platform to overlie said tongue-like portion.

CARL HELLWIG. 

